5 surprising things to cook on the Barbeque

If your BBQ repertoire could do with some spicing up, you’ve come to the right place. You’d be surprised at the ingredients that come alive on a grill, turning dinners, desserts and even drinks into a soiree to remember. These recipe ideas pair beautifully with any barbecue, be it a gas BBQ or a portable BBQ – the perfect partner for  beach picnics and camping adventures.

However you like to barbecue, make it anything but boring with these five surprising barbecue grill ideas your guests will love.

But first, let’s make sure your BBQ is up to the mark for a summer of entertaining with scrumptious barbecue food.

What Is The Best BBQ?

If your barbecue is showing signs of wear and tear, including chipped finishes, rusting, cracks or ignition issues, it could be time for an upgrade.

Maybe you should invest in the full outdoor kitchen of your dreams, with a built-in barbecue?

“Today’s barbecues really do have something for everyone,” says Scott Bazley, The Good Guys Buyer – Seasonal. “If you live in an apartment, an electric barbecue is perfect for balconies and just requires access to a power point. For bigger families or keen entertainers, a bigger gas barbecue with plenty of grill space makes sense.”

“An electric barbecue is perfect for balconies and just requires access to a power point. For bigger families or keen entertainers, a bigger gas barbecue with plenty of grill space makes sense.”

What Are The Best BBQ Features?

Want to wow your guests with rich, smoky flavours and chargrilled favourites? You’ll need a BBQ with a grill section and hotplate options to both char and fry, depending on what you’re cooking.

Look for flame tamer technology in the BeefEater BBQ range for more even heat distribution. And for full-on smokey flavour, check out Weber BBQ’s Weber Q Smoker Box Set that fits under the hood. Fill it with wood chips of your choice – apple, cherry, hickory or mesquite?

Other BBQ accessories like roasting racks, grill pans and BBQ-safe frypans will keep delicate ingredients from turning to ash.

If toasting herbs for cocktails or frying fruit for a summer dessert, you’ll need an extra-clean BBQ to stop cross-contamination. Have a look at our how to clean a barbecue checklist and go heavy-duty with the right BBQ cleaning products.

Shop BBQs

BeefEater 1600 Series Dark 4 Burner Built In BBQ

Weber Q 2000N LP Midnight Black

Weber Family Q 3100+ LP Flame Red

Surprising Barbecue Recipes You Need To Try

Don’t bore your BBQ with plain steak AGAIN! Get creative in the outdoor kitchen with these surprising barbecue suggestions.

#1 Grilled Mango Cheeks

Sprinkle mango cheeks with chipotle spices and add grilled mango chunks to vegetarian tacos. Drizzle mango with sugar and lime juice for a smokey accompaniment to your favourite curry. Add mango pieces to pork skewers for a sweet-and-savoury delight. Grill and chill cheeks for a delicious dessert topped with coconut ice cream, crushed meringue and mint leaves.

#2 Beer Can BBQ Chicken

For a BBQ chicken recipe to remember, baste the chicken with a mix of your favourite spice like smoked paprika, fresh herbs like tarragon, lemon juice and garlic powder. Tip out half a can of beer (into your glass, of course!), add a pinch of salt and pepper and a clove of garlic to the can. Push the can into the cavity of a whole chicken, and barbecue it sitting upright under the BBQ hood. The beer boils and steams the chicken from the inside, making it extra juicy and moist.

#3 Charred Cocktail Herbs and Fruits

Your blender and your barbecue are a great cocktail-making double act. For delicious cocktails, lightly char fruits like pineapple and blitz with your favourite spirits and ice for a naughty but nice frappe. Or to keep it simple, just garnish your G&Ts with a flamed rosemary stem or citrus peel.

Shop Blenders

Ninja Intelli-Sense Kitchen System

KitchenAid K400 Blender – Pistachio

#4 Barbecued Brie

Grill a whole wheel of brie cheese brushed with a little oil. When it’s warmed through, drizzle with balsamic glaze and top with fresh fruit like peaches or mango.

TIP: Don’t pierce the rind or the cheese will ooze out as it heats up.

#5 Go Bananas

Sprinkle bananas with sugar, or dribble on honey or maple syrup. Grill until the bananas start to caramelise. Serve as a sweet accompaniment with BBQ fish or pork. Or add to a hot waffle pile with ice cream and nuts for a sticky dessert. Try grilled banana and bacon on pancakes for an indulgent Sunday breakfast.

TIP: Slice the banana lengthways while still in the skin and grill with the skin on – it stops the banana from turning to mush on the BBQ.

Get grilling this summer with dinners, desserts and drinks designed to barbecue. Whether you like cooking with gas or prefer portable options, we’ve got the best BBQ to up your grilling game. Visit us in-store or online for expert advice, the biggest brands and the best prices.